Vintage Navajo Pearl Stamped Sterling Silver Bead Necklace 25 Inch 11mm 72 Gram

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Vintage Navajo Pearl Stamped Sterling Silver Bead Necklace 25 Inch 11mm 72 Gram:
$575.00

This is a listing for a vintage Navajo necklace strung on silver chain with hand wrought sterling beads. Often referred to as bench made, since they are literally made on a bench by the Navajo silver smith and called Navajo pearls, because of their value. These were made for individual use and kept within the family as a cherished piece of jewelry. Each bead is hand cut and shaped into half a bead and then the two halves are seamed together. There\'s a lot a skill involved and you can find many of these beads with an obvious seam, or an uneven seam, or stamp work that is less than perfect. The beads on this strand of pearls are perfect....a perfect shape with exquisitely done stamp work. The beads are not huge. They measure 11 mm or about 3/8th of an inch across. And the smaller the bead, the more skill required to cut, shape, solder and stamp. A series of connected partial suns are stamped onto each half of each bead. And there are 95 beads on this necklace. That represents a tremendous amount of time and labor that went into making this necklace.
The beads are all the same size. That is unusual. These necklaces almost always graduate with a large central bead, not meant to hang a pendant on. But with all the beads matching in shape, it would be possible to hang a pendant, if desired. It would be balanced. The length of the necklace is 25 inches...a very decent length. And it weighs a substantial 72 grams. A necklace of substance without being too heavy for comfort.
These beads are noteworthy for their understated beauty and perfect execution. Made to be worn and enjoyed, day to night, with jeans or dressed up...as versatile and beautiful as any strand of pearls. Thank you for looking.